Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Firearcher]

Working in Seoul and I come as a Level 1, 2nd rung on the ladder.

The replies on this subject have been interesting to say the least. A hodge podge of answers.

It seems to me that Priority #1 for EPIK is getting a native speaker in the class. Whether he / she can spell his own name or add 2 + 2 doesn't really matter. So in their ideal circumstance hiring teachers entry level at 1.8 is great. Keeps costs low, puts a native in the classroom, the con or downside at the expense of the kids is that they get a less experienced teacher. The savings though are apparently worth it.

[southernman]

I'm going to have to disagree with ttompatz as well, its good to see you are human afterall, although without doubt you are the man on this site!

I started last year as a level 1 teacher on Geoje at 2.5 plus money for a rural allowance and for teaching at more than one school. Other people in my August intake were also starting on level 1

This year I re-signed with the same POE but on the mainland for the same amount 2.5

It clearly says on my POE contract that level 1+ is 2.7

Interestingly though, the afterschool teacher at my school who has been here 7 years and is working on a F Visa said that he and same colleagues have been approched by EPIK. He said that EPIK are having a really hard time finding enough people to work in Busan but especially Gimhae. His colleagues and him were asked if they know any westerners that would be interested in the job.

At the time I thought he was mistaken. But if they're only offering 2.1 for qualified people than I can see why no one wants to work there

[Catfisher]

Wow. Seems like everyone has a mountain of debt! If Gimhae only pays 2.1 then so be it. You'll probably be well respected, have a larger apartment than anything you can get in Seoul and don't forget about nature...nature is cool too.

[southernman]

[Catfisher]

Yeah, I was just trying to make a point about most of the teachers on here complaining about 2.1 vs. 2.3. If 200k is that big of a deal, stay out of the bars and drink at home.

[sojusucks]

[Aussiekimchi]

The rumour mill is sometimes funny on this board.
Anyone that has been on this board for a while knows that I am a recruiter. ESL PLANET. I have been recruiting for EPIK since 2007.
So I know a little about what is actually going on.

To this point, we have not heard about any salary increase or decrease throughout the public schools in Korea. The salaries are exactly the same as they were 3 years ago. They should have increased, but they have not.
I guess EPIK feel that as they still receive double the candidates they need, why increase?
The salary you are offered has nothing to do with you being placed through a recruiter or directly through a school or the EPIK offices.
You are paid the level that EPIK or a public school are obliged to pay you by the regulations handed down by the Boards of Education.
Some of the rumours may have been sparked by the goings on in Gyeonggi schools.
These schools ( well many of them ) used to get their teachers through the GEPIK Head office. GEPIK are MIA at the moment and have advised all schools in Gyeonggi to contact recruiters directly to get their teachers. They all have preferences for the teachers they hire. Some what Pamela Anderson with a few years teaching experience and a Masters in Education, so they have to pay LEVEL 1 (2.3MIL) some though only want to spend to a smaller budget. So they ask for Pee Wee Herman with no experience nor qualifications at LEVEL 3 ( 2.0MIL ). Either way, they have to pay according to the regulations. There is no negotiation on this....oh wait..this is Korea....there could be some illegal negotiations on this...but LEGALLY, there should be none.
As for kickbacks...nothing would surprise me in this industry, but I would imagine the only kickbacks would be from the recruiter to the school for exclusive recruiting rights. The schools are all on govt budgets. Expenditure is always accounted for. Even with our books...every penny is accounted for. So I would find it difficult to believe that the schools are paying any money to any recruiters for sending level 3 or level 2 resumes. I would not be surprised though if there are some recruiters greasing palms though.
I only know what goes on with our company obviously, but I'm pretty confident that Will at Footprints, Jason at ASK NOW and Henry at Korvia would agree.
I don't usually weigh in on this board, but this sparked my interest. Carry on.

[WillTurnerinVanCity]

[Firearcher]

To further clarify - I applied to EPIK through a recruiter - I will not name names. That recruiter said that they are trying to fill 34 positions and 31 of the 34 schools (Under the EPIK Umbrella) have told their agency NOT to bring any Level 1+ or Level 1's to their schools because the most they want to pay is 2.2. So because I am "too experienced" they refuse to hire me - unless I agree to 2.2.

There has been a lot of back n forth between me & the recruiter on this and in the end its accept 2.2 or go away. That is my choice.

Thus I concluded that unofficially there is an unspoken wage freeze within EPIK.

[earthquakez]

[quote="WillTurnerinVanCity"]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[quote="earthquakez"]

[Epik_Teacher]

I bet 2011 is the last big year for EPIK then most of those type of English programs get the axe!

[liveinkorea316]

[Aussiekimchi]

I don't know if any of the foreign recruiting companies are in the Recruiter's Association. We aren't.
When they contacted us a few years back, it did seem like an organisation trying to band together and grow in strength to increase the recruiting fees. I would not imagine they have sinister plans of stopping bad teachers from getting a job, or tainting the names of prospective incomes. They would be more wanting to hire the bad teachers in their bad schools and then change their cell phone numbers. Have never looked at their website and am not really sure what they are all about.
Maybe Will at Footprints knows more.

[jvalmer]